Charlie Morton, last 3 starts

Charlie Morton, regular season

Morton is winless in his past five starts. Solving his first-inning troubles would help snap that streak: In his 12 starts, he has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) in the first. He is undefeated in past six GABP starts (3-0, 2.70 ERA).

Keyvius Sampson, last 3 starts

Keyvius Sampson, regular season

Sampson will make his first career start after making his Major League debut on Thursday with one scoreless inning of relief work. He gave up only five hits across eight scoreless frames in his last start with Triple-A Louisville on July 24.

Jon Lester, last 3 starts

Jon Lester, regular season

Lester had what he called his best outing of the season his last time out, striking out a season-high 14 Rockies. He's thrown at least seven innings in each of his starts in July, including another season-high eight innings in his last start.

Francisco Liriano, last 3 starts

Francisco Liriano, regular season

Liriano comes off allowing a season-high 10 hits in only 5 2/3 innings against the Twins, but he's also started six consecutive wins (going 3-0 across that stretch). He's had homer troubles at home (8 in 66 2/3 innings).

Jake Arrieta, last 3 starts

Jake Arrieta, regular season

Arrieta's next win will be his career-high 12th. In his last start, against the Brewers, he struggled with command yet lasted long enough to post his 17th quality start. He has a 1.53 ERA in his last eight starts, with 58 K's over 58 2/3 innings.

J.A. Happ, last 3 starts

J.A. Happ, regular season

The lefty makes his Pittsburgh debut by stepping into the shoes of A.J. Burnett (on the DL with elbow inflammation). Happ slumped his way out of Seattle and will try to regain his early-season form (3.31 ERA across first 11 starts).

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Dan Haren, last 3 starts

Dan Haren, regular season

This will be Haren's Cubs debut. He has not faced the Pirates this year, and hasn't pitched in as meaningful a game as this one. In his last start, he posted a quality start against the Nats, giving up one run over six innings but took the loss.

Jeff Locke, last 3 starts

Jeff Locke, regular season

The young lefty has developed into the third consistency in the Pirates? current rotation, having worked to an ERA of 3.06 in his last six starts. He has become adept at finding his rhythm in games that begin erratically.